Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-02

ston. Junior warden Mr.. James
StrnuQhan, treasurer, and Mr.. Robert
Afmistead, secretary, and 1t Is now in
the possession Of the lodge in good
state of preservation.
THE EARLY MEErING-PLAcH.
Tho hotel whence this dispatch is
sent stands on the site OF the building
which contained the Masonic lodge
where George Washington was initiated,
and over which, it is claimed, he subs3-
quently presided. The building in 1852,
and for q long period afterwards, was
the public market-hOuse OF frederlcks-
burg. Theupperportion of the structure
WIS used rs hall or lodge-room, in
which the Masons held their meet
ings. The site is on the west
side of Main street, overlooking
the Rappahannock river and the.
Stafford Heights, upon the opposite
bank. In the rear are Marye's Heights
Both the latter are well remembered by
many veteran who wore the blue or
the gray. The old building was pulled
down in the march of improvement to
give place to another in 1873. Its sue
ccssor has also disappeared, but the red
bricks which composed its walls are
still to he seen. they were sold and
used in the erection of another sub
stantial edifce now standing on the
corner of Princess Ann and Commerce
streets.
The present location Of the lodge
room here, where the ancient No. A
still holds its mystic meetings, is on
the corner of Hanover and Commerce
streets. II has no architectural presen-
sions, but is large, commodious, and
comfortable, and serves the purpose Of
the members of No. 1 of to-day.
BANQUET AND SPEECHES.
When the proceedings at the Opera
House were concluded the members OF
Lodge No. !, accompanied 10y their
guests, marched to the dining-room OF
the Exchange Hotel, where they sat
down to a grand banquet. Toasts and
speeches followed the repast. The
sentiments and the names OF those who
responded were:
"To the memory of George Wash
ington, who was initiated, passed, and
raised to the sublime degree Of Master
Mason in Fredericksburg Lodge, No.
(, who has now become the legacy OF
the Masonic fraternity in general. "
Responded to by Past Grand Master +.
A. Reid. of Alexandria. Va.
"To the memory of Mary, the mo-
ther OF Washington, whose days were
spent in this place and whose remains
lie buried under the neglected mOnu-
ment on the outskirts of our town.
The will Of Mrs. Washington was read
by the senior warden, Roberto. Berry,
after which the sentiment was respond
ed 10 10y Judge John I. Goodrich.
"Alcxandria- Washington Lodge, No
90, of which Washington WAS the first
master We welcome with cordial
greeting her representative on this glad
OCCASION WOrshipfiIl-Master A. W.
Armstrong responded.
"Botetourt Lodge, No. I, at Glou-
cester Courthouse, chartered by No. 4
in ITO. while it was working under It's
Scotch charter, granted in 1913. We
cordially welcome her representative
here tonight General William b.
Taliafcrro was the speaker at this point.
"To the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of Virginia, at whose hands we
hold our charter. We thrice welcome
her chosen head, the Most WOrshipful
Grand Master" Grand Master William
T. Drinkard acknowledged the comph-
m6nt.
"Thc day we commemorative!
centennial anniversary of our existence
under the Grand Lodge of Virginia
May the centuries never blot it out, but
may the lodge increase and multiply IN
membership and extend in usefulness.
Judge James y. Sener made the re-
sponsc.
"Faith, Hope, Charity-the three
principal rounds in the Masonic lad
der. May these principles iilumine,
not only our entire republic, but so
girdle the earth as to unite i'll brotherly
love aud affection men Of every roun-
Try, sect. and opinion" Charles Il.
Alien, Of Massachusetts,, replied 70 this
very inclusive sentiment.
"The Press: The great educator
and defender Of the rights and
Liberties of the people. Let its
light continue to iluminc not
only the South, East, and West, but
may the benign influence it excrts for
coed reach INTO all lands. ~ Responded
to bv Mr.. Powers, Of the Chicago 1gmcs.
AUD Lang Syne-wherc now are the
friends Of my youth?" II. ). Doggett
made tie closing address.
In the early hours Of the morning
the guests dislandcd--tha visitors to
take the first trains for home. IT was
great day for Fredericksburg.